Retro-reflective attachment for wearing apparel

Abstract

Retro-reflective material is secured to the exterior surface of an article of wearing apparel in a manner which maximizes the light-reflecting capability of the article. Specifically, the retro-reflective material is secured in a manner not requiring any add-on fasteners and which leaves the material ruffled or pleated. The invention increases the number of different surfaces available for gathering incident light rays and reflecting same back to the light source making the wearer more visible to the light source.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A band-like safety item for wear about a portion of the body, comprising: an elastic band of absorbent material expandable between relaxed and stretched conditions, said band being of predetermined width and having inside and outside surfaces;   a flexible but substantially inelastic strip of retro-reflective material of predetermined length circumferentially secured about at least a portion of the outside surface of said band; and   said retro-reflective strip being of substantially narrower width than said band and being secured along opposite edges thereof to said band while substantially fully stretched so that said strip is ruffled when said band is not fully stretched to enhance reflectivity and thus visibility of the wearer under conditions of poor visibility.   
     
     
       2. A band-like safety item for wear about a portion of the body, comprising: an elastic band of absorbent material expandable between relaxed and stretched conditions, said band being of predetermined width and having inside and outside surfaces;   a flexible but substantially inelastic strip of retro-reflective material of predetermined length circumferentially secured completely about the outside surface of said band; and   said retro-reflective strip being of substantially narrower width than said band and being sewn along opposite edges thereof to said band while substantially fully stretched so that said strip is ruffled when said band is not fully stretched to enhance reflectivity and thus visibility of the wearer under conditions of poor visibility.   
     
     
       3. A band-like safety item for wear about a portion of the body, constructed according to the method comprising the steps of: providing an elastic band of absorbent material;   providing a flexible but substantially inelastic strip of retro-reflective material of relatively narrower width than said band;   substantially fully stretching the elastic band;   positioning the retro-reflective strip about the entire outside circumferential surface of the stretched band;   sewing the retro-reflective strip along opposite edges thereof to the stretched band; and   allowing the band to relax so that the retro-reflective strip becomes ruffled when the band is not fully stretched to enhance reflectivity and thus visibility of the wearer under conditions of poor visibility.